Friday January 17th
Heading home today from the Panhandle. Did make a side trip to Lake Apopka to check out the North Shore Wildlife Drive. Had visited last month and had some good sightings like the Ash-throated flycatcher.
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| Ring-necked duck and American Coot |
But today, a great many people have also arrived to enjoy the day, the birds and photography. Its much more crowded on the drive than last month. The first the first mile or so was very busy.
At one point I stopped and asked some ladies what they were doing with a Muscovy Duck. Muscovy ducks are not commonly seen here and the ladies were concerned that the bird was a lost pet. Especially as was kept approaching. No doubt it was used to being feed. They were trying to capture the it because they believed that it wasn't going to survive in the wild. My advise was to leave it alone. It'll be alright. Don't know what became of the situation after I left.
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| Fulvous Whistling Duck |
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| American Coot |
Lots of ducks today, but like at St Marks, the counts seemed lower. Fulvous Whistling Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked Ducks, Lesser Scaup and a Northern Shoveler. Lots of American Coots, Pied-billed Coots, Anhingas, Common Gallinules, Cormorants, White & Glossy Ibis and the expected waders. Ospreys, Northern Harriers, Red-shouldered Hawks and a Peregrine Falcon too.
Made a short visit. Still had three hours of driving to get home and the crowds were annoying.
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| Blue-winged Teal |
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| Best Look I had of this Northern Shoveler |
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| Pied-billed Grebe |
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| Ring-necked Duck |
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| Common Gallinule |
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| gator |
